Senator Hassan Applauds Senate Passage of Anti-Fentanyl Legislation; Bill on Its Way to President’s Desk
INTERDICT Act Would Provide Customs and Border Protection the Latest in Chemical Screening Devices and Scientific Support to Detect and Intercept Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids at the Borders
WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan INTERDICT Act that she cosponsored to help stop the flow of illicit fentanyl across the U.S. border. The bill, which is on its way to the President’s desk, will help equip Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with scanning devices and other technologies to detect synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report finding – for the first time – that fentanyl, not heroin, is now the deadliest opioid.
“We know that fentanyl is exacerbating the opioid crisis that is ravaging communities in New Hampshire and across the country, killing people faster with smaller amounts,” said Senator Hassan. “To turn the tide of this epidemic, we need a comprehensive approach focused on strengthening treatment, prevention, recovery, and law enforcement efforts, and the bipartisan INTERDICT Act will help support those efforts by giving Customs and Border Protection agents better tools to detect and disrupt the flow of fentanyl across our borders. I am grateful for the bipartisan cooperation to pass this legislation, and I urge the President to sign it into law without delay.”
The Senator also helped introduce the Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, bipartisan legislation designed to help stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders to drug traffickers here in the United States.
Specifically, the INTERDICT Act:?
Ensures that CBP will have additional portable chemical screening devices available at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities, and additional fixed chemical screening devices available in CBP laboratories
Provides CBP with sufficient resources, personnel, and facilities – including scientists available during all operational hours – to interpret screening test results from the field
Authorizes – based on CBP guidance – the appropriation of $15 million for hundreds of new screening devices, laboratory equipment, facilities, and personnel for support during all operational hours
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